With the 2017 NBA season officially complete, and the draft order set, the time has finally come for some of basketball’s brightest stars to take center stage and start on their journey in the NBA.
Tonight’s NBA draft has been talked about as one of the deepest in years. Littered with all kinds of talent, teams are hoping to find and draft players that will hopefully help take their franchises to the next level.
As it stands, the Nuggets own the 13th, 49th, and 51st picks in the draft. While the 49th and 51st picks will likely be used on draft and stash guys, the Nuggets will be able to find a solid player, who could evolve into a major contributor down the line, with the 13th pick.
The Nuggets biggest need by far is defense. Time after time, the Nuggets would watch leads disappear late in games due to their execution on the defensive end. The offense was forced to carry the majority of the load last season as Denver’s defense ranked 29th out of the 30 teams in defensive rating.
The Nuggets will likely be targeting a forward who can run the floor and protect the rim, whether at 13 or if they make a trade.
Denver’s cornerstone, Nikola Jokic, is a wizard at creating scoring opportunities for his teammates, making quickness a point of emphasis with whomever they select. However, Jokic’s game does not translate to the defensive end of the floor very well, as he struggles guarding athletic big men and defending the rim.
There are bound to be some intriguing prospects available when the Nuggets hit the clock on Thursday. Here’s a look at some of the best and most realistic players Denver could select.
1. Zach Collins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QsngqtZZi4
Age: 19 Size: 7-feet, 230 pounds
2016-17 season averages: 10.0 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 0.4 APG
Zach Collins is one of the most intriguing and talked about prospects entering the draft. A part of the dominant Gonzaga team that made a run to the NCAA Championship Game this past season, Collins is an interesting player for the Nuggets to consider selecting if he’s available when they hit the clock.
Mock drafts have Collins going anywhere between 10 and 14, but if he slides down to 13, expect the Nuggets to strongly consider pulling the trigger on him.
His game fits the Nuggets’ needs and compliments their style of play extremely well. Known as one of the more athletic big men in the draft, Collins quickness up and down the court pens him in as one of the most dynamic big men available. He used both his size and quickness to his advantage in college, establishing himself as a consistent two-way player that can score effectively and defend at an instant.
Offensively, his game compliments the Nuggets in that he can score from just about anywhere on the floor. While interior scoring is where he thrives, his pick-and-roll and catch-and-shoot game is sharp enough to be a threat at the next level, and would pair extremely well with Nikola Jokic.
Collins’ defensive game is his biggest strength. With cat-like reflexes on the defensive end of the court, Collins is a sharp defender who does a solid job at guarding centers and forwards of all shapes and sizes due to his mix of length and quickness.
Collins makeup is one that NBA GMs long for, strength and size with the ability to run the floor. If he’s available at 13, the Nuggets will think long and hard about taking him.
2. John Collins
Age: 19 Size: 6-foot-10, 235 pounds
2016-17 stats: 19.2 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 0.5 APG
John Collins is another player who will likely be available when the Nuggets hit the clock. A product of Wake Forrest, Collins built a reputation as one of the best above the rim players in the draft. Known for his playmaking on both ends of the floor inside, Collins has the potential to develop into a lethal inside scorer and defender at the next level.
Collins is projected to go anywhere between 13-19 in the draft. The Nuggets are shaping up to be the first legitimate team to seriously consider drafting Collins, and for good reason. Collins style of play would fit Denver’s mold both in the now and the future.
As it stands, the Nuggets are a team filled with youth. Last season, rookies Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez struggled to find consistent playing time, which made for a rookie tour split between the NBA and D-League.
The same thing is expected to happen for whichever players the Nuggets draft. Now, while Collins is certainly equipped to play in the NBA, time spent at the professional level and the newly rebranded G-league would certainly help fine tune Collins’ raw game.
Collins fits the mold of a modern-day forward in that he’s quick, agile, and strong. If he were to come to Denver, he would bring one thing that Denver desperately needs: Defensive identity.
Collins uses his length to his advantage on defense, often forcing his opponents to alter their shots when they enter the paint. In addition to Collins’ presence in the paint, he has developed into quite the rebounder, an area the Nuggets could certainly use help.
While defense is his bread and butter, there is plenty to be excited about with Collins’ offensive potential. Though he is not a prolific scorer, Collins is effective and efficient around the basket and can throw down some wicked dunks. His outside shooting will need some work, but if he were to come to Denver, he would likely find immediate scoring opportunities from Nikola Jokic’s passing ability alone.
Capable of playing and running both ends of the floor, Collins is one of the most intriguing, yet raw, prospects in the draft. Wherever he goes, he will need a lot of work to be set up to thrive in the NBA. If Denver were to pull the trigger and draft him, they would be getting a player who helps their biggest need, defense.
3. TJ Leaf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f3xRh6lTlU
Age: 20 Size: 6-foot-10, 225 pounds
2016-17 Stats: 16.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.4 APG
Arguably the most complete player on this list, TJ Leaf boasts a resume and style of play that should transition nicely to the NBA. Known for his consistent scoring and electric passing, Leaf would slide into the Nuggets scheme perfectly on both ends of the floor.
His play fits the free-flowing style of basketball the Nuggets like to play, as he is regarded as an elite passer with superb scoring ability. The biggest plus with Leaf compared to others on this list is his range and efficiency in scoring.
Leaf made 61.7 percent of his field goal attempts last season and proved that he could shoot it from both behind the arc and within the perimeter with consistency. In addition, despite his smaller frame, Leaf was an effective rebounder in his lone season at UCLA, snagging 287 boards last season which lead all Bruins.
Leaf’s offensive game would be a lethal addition to Denver. Leaf thrives in the open court, but also has the skills to score efficiently around the rim. Like Jokic, Leaf is a shot creator for his teammates, a trait that could help build more team chemistry if Denver were to select him.
The biggest knock on Leaf’s game is simply his size. If he wants to develop into an established NBA talent, Leaf will need to put on some weight and get stronger in order to find consistent success in the league.
The intriguing part with Leaf is that he is not projected to go until the end of the first round. Mock drafts have Leaf falling in the early-to-mid 20s, which gives the Nuggets the option to trade back and still land him if the opportunity presents itself.
Leaf is a prototypical stretch-four in the modern day in the NBA, and should not have an overly difficult time transitioning into the league if he gets bigger and stronger. Leaf’s game is built for the modern NBA with his offensive upside being one of the highest in the draft.
Constantly overshadowed by Lonzo Ball while at UCLA, Leaf never gets enough credit for his role in UCLA’s high-powered offense and was also overlooked defensively.
While he is not the stellar rim protector Denver needs, his skill set is still one that the Nuggets would be able to take advantage of. Although undersized, Leaf can effectively guard forwards and has room to grow if he puts in the necessary work.
4. Bam Adebayo
Age: 19 Size: 6-foot-10, 250 pounds
2016-17 Stats: 13.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 0.8 APG
With the Nuggets needing defense, rim protection specifically, it’s only fair to put a tried and true, old-school center on this list. Bam Adebayo is that guy. A product of the University of Kentucky, Adebayo has the coaching and skill set to make a name for himself at the next level.
Adebayo is one of the strongest post players in the draft and boasts both strength and versatility while in the post. While he is solid down low in one-on-one situations, Adebayo’s biggest strong suit comes in transition on the glass. He is a wrecking ball on the glass in transition, capable of scoring and overpowering his opponents in the low block.
Defensively, Adebayo brings the rim protection the Nuggets need. He averaged 1.5 blocks per game as a Wildcat and has the potential to do the same at the next level. Thanks to his size and athleticism, Adebayo moves around the rim in an effective and quick manner, which allows him to both step up and guard a man driving in the lane, or sit back and block a shot.
While his inside game is solid, his perimeter game needs a lot of work. He has trouble scoring from outside the paint and struggles at getting out to defend the perimeter at times. Also, the Nuggets have found problems in the past with playing two big men at the same time with their current style of play, meaning Adebayo would be drafted primarily as a bench player and backup center to Jokic by default.
While his game does not directly fit with what the Nuggets are trying to do, his shot blocking and defensive potential fit their exact needs. Fit will be an issue, but based on raw skill, Adebayo helps fill some of Denver’s biggest holes on defense.
5. OG Anunoby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2hngckrOVw
Age:19 Size: 6-foot-8, 235 pounds
2016-17 Stats: 11.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.4 apg
If the Nuggets want to take the player with the highest ceiling outside of the top-3 prospects, OG Anunoby is their guy. Boasting sheer athleticism and raw intangibles on both ends of the floor, Anunoby has the potential to be a superstar in the NBA – if he can get healthy and continue to fine tune his game.
A knee injury cut his sophomore season short. The fact that Anunoby may be forced to sit out his entire rookie season has caused stock his stock to drop.
If it weren’t for the injury, Anunoby would likely be a top-5 pick. Luckily for the Nuggets, he is expected to be available at 13, if they decide they want to take a risk. Mock drafts have him going anywhere from 13 to the late 20s, but Denver would be wise to bring him on board for a couple of reasons.
The first reason being the fact that he will miss time. While being sidelined is never a good thing, it could benefit the Nuggets due to their current roster complexion. Whoever the Nuggets draft, that player will likely struggle to find minutes due to the logjam of young talent Denver already has. With Anunoby likely to start the season hurt, it would give the Nuggets time to make sure he is right and develop a plan in which how they want to utilize his skillset.
The second reason being his sheer performance. There is a lot to like with Anunoby. From his freakish athleticism to his versatility on both ends of the floor, Anunoby is one of the most intriguing prospects in this year draft.
Anunoby struggles at creating his shot at times, but that would not be a huge problem if Denver were to draft him thanks to Jokic’s offensive skillset. Anunoby is at his best offensively while in transition or the open court, the style of play Denver runs. In addition, his explosiveness makes him a threat to get to the hoop any time he has the ball in his hands.
While his offensive potential is eye-catching, his defensive ability fits Denver’s needs too as well. The Nuggets’ defense is in need of a total rebrand, and it could start if they draft Anunoby. He is athletic enough to guard virtually all positions, and while he only stands at 6-foot-8, he can defend in elite form.
Anunoby is one of the most fascinating players in the draft. The injury to the knee is the only major question mark surrounding him. His raw skills have superstar potential written all over them, and with Denver’s current situation, taking a risk on a player who could blossom into the next big thing in the NBA makes all the sense in the world.